Urinary Tract Infection - Causes

What are the Causes of Urinary Tract Infection (UTI)?

UTI's are caused by microbes, including fungi, viruses and bacteria. However, bacteria (Escherichia coli) are the most common cause of UTI.

• The most common cause of UTI is bacteria from the bowel that lives on the skin near the rectum or in the vagina which can spread and enter the urinary tract. Usually bacteria enter the urethra and then the bladder, causing an infection, most commonly in the bladder itself, which can spread to the kidneys.
• Sexual intercourse is a common cause of urinary tract infections and the female anatomy may make

  them more prone to infections. During sexual intercourse bacteria in the vaginal area could be massaged into the urethra by the motion of the penis. Women who change sexual partners may experience more frequent bladder infections.

• Another cause of UTI is holding back urine. The bladder is a muscle that stretches to hold urine and contracts when the urine is released. Waiting long causes the bladder to stretch beyond its capacity which over a period of time can weaken the bladder muscle. When the bladder is weakened it may not empty completely and some urine is left in the bladder which may increase the risk of urinary tract infection or bladder infection.

• Another common source of infection is catheters or tubes placed in the bladder. (3^✔,4^✔)

References:

1. Urinary Tract Infection - (https://www.cdc.gov/antibiotic-use/community/for-patients/common-illnesses/uti.html)
2. About Urinary Tract Infection - (https://www.womenshealth.gov/a-z-topics/urinary-tract-infections)
3. How Do You Get Urinary Tract Infections? - (https://www.sepsis.org/sepsisand/urinary-tract-infections/)
4. Urinary Tract Infection - Adults - (https://medlineplus.gov/ency/article/000521.htm)
5. Urinary Tract Infection (UTI) - Including Symptoms, Treatment and Prevention - (https://www.sahealth.sa.gov.au/wps/wcm/connect/public+content/sa+health+internet/health+topics/health+conditions+prevention+and+treatment/infectious+diseases/urinary+tract+infection/urinary+tract+infection+uti+-+including+symptoms+treatment+and+prevention)
6. Urinary Tract Infection - Adults - (https://medlineplus.gov/ency/article/000521.htm)
7. Urinary Tract Infections (UTIs) - (https://kidshealth.org/Nemours/en/parents/urinary.html)
8. What is a Urinary Tract Infection (UTI) in Adults? - (https://www.urologyhealth.org/urologic-conditions/urinary-tract-infections-in-adults)